Gender Differences in Routine Health Maintenance Examinations Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Purpose: Adolescent and young adult (AYA) males historically have lower healthcare utilization than their female peers.

Methods: Electronic health record data from an Adolescent/Young Adult Medicine outpatient practice were reviewed to assess gender differences in routine health maintenance examinations before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Results: Routine health maintenance examinations decreased for both males and females during the pandemic. However, a two-proportion z-test demonstrated that established male patients were statistically less likely (p < .01) to have a routine health maintenance examination from December 2020 to December 2021 than their female counterparts.

Discussion: AYA males are at a higher risk for persistent disengagement in healthcare and exacerbates future gender gaps in healthcare utilization. Primary care providers need to focus efforts on re-engaging all young people in preventive care, with specific efforts tailored to AYA males.

Keywords: Adolescence; Health maintenance examination; Males; Young adults.